Structure of a cowl cross member mounting unit

ABSTRACT

A structure of a cowl cross member mounting unit is disclosed to reinforce strength of a mounting unit at both ends of a cowl cross member to effectively disperse idle vibration of a steering apparatus owing to a reinforce bracket and improve a driver&#39;s riding feelings and a general noise vibration harshness function of a vehicle, the structure comprising: cowl cross member flanges respectively joining both ends of a cowl cross member; a reinforce bracket coupled with the cowl cross member flanges in surface contact; and a cowl cross member mounting bracket coupled with one end thereof forming a closed space with one side of the reinforce bracket and with the other end thereof connecting the side inner panel in surface contact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a structure of a cowl cross member mounting unit connected with a side inner panel, and more particularly to a structure of a cowl cross member mounting unit to reinforce strength of a mounting unit of a cowl cross member and a side inner panel, thereby reducing idle vibration of a steering apparatus and improving a noise vibration harshness (NVH) function of a vehicle.

[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art

[0004] In general, a predetermined shape of a cowl cross flange 2 is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, integrally coupled with both ends of a cowl cross member 1 installed to vertically cross a car body, positioning under a cowl panel. A cowl cross member mounting bracket 3 is coupled at the cowl cross member flange 2. Since the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3 is integrally coupled with side inner panel (not shown), the cowl cross member 1 has a structure to be in connection with the side inner panel.

[0005] At this time, the cowl cross member flange 2 and the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3 are coupled in surface contact and a plurality of through holes 2 a, 3 a thereof are interconnected. A plurality of assembling nuts 4 are welded and connected with the through hole 3 a at one side of the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3.

[0006] In other words, while the cowl cross member flange 2 and the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3 are coupled in surface contact, a plurality of assembling bolts 5 are sequentially penetrated through the through holes 2 a, 3 a and coupled with the assembling nuts 4 mounted at the cowl cross member mounting brackets 3. Therefore, the cowl cross member flange 2 and the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3 are coupled with the assembling bolts 5.

[0007] Furthermore, when the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3 is integrally coupled with the side inner panel (not shown), the cowl cross member 1 is connected with the side inner panel through the cowl cross member flange 2 and the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3.

[0008] Also, a steering apparatus is installed in perpendicular at the cowl cross member 1, and the idle vibration of the steering apparatus disperses to the side inner panel through the cowl cross member 1, cowl cross member flange 2 and cowl cross member mounting bracket 3.

[0009] However, there are problems in the conventional cowl cross member mounting unit thus constructed in that the cowl cross member flange 2 and the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3 are connected with the side inner panel by a direct contact, to thereby fail to let the idle vibration of the steering apparatus effectively disperse to the side inner panel through the cowl cross member flange 2 and cowl cross member mounting bracket 3, but mostly to a driver's seat, thereby deteriorating the driver's riding feelings and the NVH function of a vehicle as a whole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to solve the aforementioned problem and provide a structure of a cowl cross member mounting unit of a vehicle to reinforce strength of a part, where the cowl cross member and side inner panel are interconnected, to disperse the idle vibration of a steering apparatus to the side inner panel to the maximum extent but to a driver's seat to the minimum extent, thereby improving the driver's riding feelings and a NVH function of a vehicle as a whole.

[0011] In order to accomplish the aforementioned object of the present invention, there is provided a structure of a cowl cross member mounting unit, the structure comprising:

[0012] cowl cross member flanges respectively joining both ends of a cowl cross member;

[0013] an reinforce bracket coupled with the cowl cross member flanges in surface contact; and

[0014] a cowl cross member mounting bracket coupled with one end forming a closed space with one side of the reinforce bracket and with the other end connecting the side inner panel in surface contact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016]FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective view and section view for illustrating a cowl cross member mounting unit in accordance with the prior art; and

[0017]FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively a exploded perspective view and a cross-sectional view for illustrating a cowl cross mounting unit in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0019]FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively a exploded perspective view and a cross-sectional view for illustrating a cowl cross mounting unit in accordance with the present invention. According to the present invention, a predetermined shape of a cowl cross flange 2 is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, integrally coupled at both ends of a cowl cross member 1 installed to vertically cross a car body, positioning under a cowl panel. A predetermined shape of a reinforce bracket 20 is coupled at the cowl cross member flange 2 in surface contact. One end of the cowl cross member mounting bracket 30 is coupled with the reinforce bracket 20 to form a closed space, and the other end of the cowl cross member mounting bracket 30 is coupled with a side inner panel (not shown) in surface contact.

[0020] At this time, the cowl cross member flange 2 and the reinforce bracket 20 are coupled in surface contact. A plurality of through holes 2 a, 20 a are formed at the reinforce bracket 20 and the cowl cross member flange 2, and a plurality of assembling nuts 40 are attached at one side of the reinforce bracket 20 by welding.

[0021] In other words, while the cowl cross member flange 2 and the reinforce bracket 20 are interconnected in surface contact, a plurality of assembling bolts 50 are sequentially penetrated through the through holes 2 a, 20 a of the cowl cross member flange 2 and of the reinforce bracket 20 to be coupled with the assembling nuts 40 attached onto the reinforce bracket 20. As a result, the cowl cross member flange 2 and the reinforce bracket 20 are sequentially coupled by assembling bolts 50.

[0022] Furthermore, a flange 31 is integrally formed with its ends facing the reinforce bracket 20 at a margin portion of the cowl cross member mounting bracket 30 facing one side of the reinforce bracket 20. The flange 31 is integrally coupled with the margin portion of the reinforce bracket 20 for combination of the reinforce bracket 20 and the cowl cross member mounting bracket 30. As a result, a closed space is formed by one side of the reinforce bracket 20, the cowl cross member mounting bracket 30 and the flange 31.

[0023] On the other hand, when the cowl cross member mounting bracket 30 is integrally coupled with the side inner panel (not shown) in surface contact, the cowl cross member 1 is connected with the side inner panel by means of the cowl cross member flange 2, the reinforce bracket 20 and the cowl cross member mounting bracket 30.

[0024] In addition, a steering apparatus is interconnected in perpendicular at the cowl cross member 1, and the idle vibration of the steering apparatus disperses to the side inner panel through the cowl cross member 1, cowl cross member flange 2, reinforce bracket 20 and cowl cross member mounting bracket 30.

[0025] Likewise, the cowl cross member flange 2 attached at both ends of the cowl cross member 1 is coupled with the reinforce bracket 20 by a plurality of assembling bolts 50 and assembling nuts 40, and the reinforce bracket 20 and the cowl cross member mounting bracket 30 are coupled each other to form a closed space. Besides, the cowl cross member mounting bracket 30 is coupled with the side inner panel in surface contact. In comparison with the conventional structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the cowl cross member flange 2 is directly coupled with the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3 in surface contact and the cowl cross member mounting bracket 3 is coupled with the side inner panel, the aforementioned structure of the present invention has an advantage of an increase in strength of the mounting unit of the cowl cross member 1 by the reinforce bracket 20.

[0026] Furthermore, if the strength in the mounting unit of the cowl cross member 1 is increased by the reinforce bracket 20, the idle vibration of the steering apparatus can be effectively dispersed owing to the reinforce bracket 20, to the driver's seat to the minimum extent, thereby improving the driver's riding feelings and the general NVH function of a vehicle.

[0027] As described above, there are advantages in the structure of the cowl cross member mounting unit of the present invention in that the strength of the mounting unit at both ends of the cowl cross member is increased by the reinforce bracket coupled between the cowl cross member flange and the cowl cross member mounting bracket and that the idle vibration of the steering apparatus effectively disperses owing to the reinforce bracket, thereby improving the driver's driving feelings and the NVH function of an entire car, which will ultimately lead to a progress in consumer preference and product value. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A structure of a cowl cross member mounting unit, the structure comprising: cowl cross member flanges respectively joining both ends of a cowl cross member; a reinforce bracket coupled with the cowl cross member flanges in surface contact; and a cowl cross member mounting bracket coupled with one end thereof forming a closed space with one side of the reinforce bracket and with the other end thereof connecting a side inner panel in surface contact.
 2. The structure, as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of assembling nuts are attached at one side of the reinforce bracket facing the cowl cross member mounting bracket, and the cowl cross member flange and the reinforce bracket are coupled by assembling blots sequentially penetrating the cowl cross member flange and the reinforce bracket and coupled to the assembling nuts.
 3. The structure, as defined in claim 1, wherein a flange is integrally attached to one side of the reinforce bracket to enable the reinforce bracket and cowl cross member mounting bracket to form a closed space at a margin portion of the cowl cross member mounting bracket. 